Bristlecone pines live in harsh conditions where other trees don’t survive
Behind the Shot
A shadow of bristlecones and a tree root is in the foreground above with a branch overhanging the cliff on the left. A few bristlecones are precariously perched on the rim in the upper right.
Following are tree closeups and shots of the canyon.
Cedar Breaks National monument is one of the best places to see these trees.
About Bristlecones
The term Bristlecone pine covers three species of the pine tree (family Pinaceae). One tree is over 5,000 years old (think 3000 BC) making it the oldest living thing on the planet. They grow in harsh conditions, at high elevations in areas with little rainfall, where hardly anything else grows. The bristlecone pine is extremely drought tolerant due to its branched shallow root system, its waxy needles, and thick needle cuticles that aid in water retention. In good soil, it will quickly rot.
The wood is very dense and resinous, and thus resistant to invasion by insects, fungi, and other potential pests. The tree’s longevity is due in part to the wood’s extreme durability. While other species of trees that grow nearby suffer rot, bare bristlecone pines can endure, even after death, often still standing on their roots, for many centuries. Rather than rot, exposed wood, on living and dead trees, erodes like stone due to wind, rain, and freezing, which creates unusual forms and shapes.
Spectra Point and Ramparts Point
The Spectra Point trail is an out-and-back two-mile trail to a magnificent grove. It starts at the visitor center, One can hike further to Ramparts Point making the round trip about four miles.
The trail is not that steep, but you are at 10,000 feet, The high starting elevation can cause shortness of breath for lowlanders. Take it slow.
The park road (UT-148) is typically closed to vehicles from November through May due to snow.
On the Edge – Ramparts Point
Ramparts Point Overlook
On the Edge at Spectra Point
Large trees can be 2,000 to 5,000 years old. Parts of the tree die and sometimes only a branch or two of a big tree is alive.
Bristlecone Pine Detail
Spectra Point Overlook
The above images are from a trip in August. Following are more images of the grove at Spectra Point.
It takes a very wide angle lens to fit these trees in one shot. The above images is 11mm full frame,
Only a tiny portion of these two spectacular trees is alive.
Sunset is a great time to be at Spectra Point.
More on Cedar Breaks Area
- Alpine Lakes Wildflowers: Explore Cedar Breaks Colorful Summer Wildflowers and an Alpine Pond
- Ashdown Gorge: Explore the Beautiful Waterfalls of Ashdown Gorge
Equipment
These images were taken with an Canon EOS R5 or EOS R5 Mark II
Coming up: images from Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Grand-Staircase Escalante.
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